Chronicling civil-service life for California state workers

March 30, 2011

The Assembly Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security Committee has approved a bill that would freeze the pay of state employees earning more than $150,000 per year.

Assembly Bill 7, authored by Assemblyman Anthony Portantino, D- Pasadena, prohibits the salary increases or bonuses for those higher-end employees until Jan.1, 2014, while they are employed in the same position or job classification.

The measure exempts unionized state employees and anyone "who occupies a classification that is deemed necessary to public safety and security by the Governor through an executive order, or a person whose salary is set by the State Constitution," according to this Assembly committee analysis.

Portantino's bill doesn't affect UC system employees, but, "(a)t a time when the University of California Board of Regents is raising student fees, it is imperative that they show leadership and fiscal responsibility for two years by not granting raises or bonuses for employees that make in excess of $150,000 per year," the bill says.

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About The State Worker

The Author

Jon Ortiz launched The State Worker blog and a companion column in 2008 to cover state government from the perspective of California government employees. Every day he filters the news through a single question: "What does this mean for state workers?" Join Ortiz for updates and debate on state pay, benefits, pensions, contracts and jobs. Contact him at (916) 321-1043 and at jortiz@sacbee.com.

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